Liquid cosmetic applicator



W. C. HAND LIQUID COSMETIC APPLICTOR Filed July 22, 1937 Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Bx www 27W@ wmwx HIS ATTORNEYS May 22;', 1.938.

May 24, 1938. w. c. HAND 2,118,083

LIQUlD GOSMETIC PPLICATOR vFiled July 22, 1937 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l Irvin.

ff/f ATTORNEYS Patented uy 24, 1938l Eem gliedert cromo oossmrrc Wilfred Q. Elend, New York, N. YZ. Application lolly gli, los?, Serial No. losses 112 @Editoren This invention relates to liquid cosmetic applicators and more particularly concerns an improved device lofr readily applying cosmetic liquids to the hair, skin or other parts or appendages oi the human body. i

Coloring matter, such as mascara or dye, is cus= ,tomarily applied to the eyelashes and eyebrows by means of a brush or other moisture-absorbent implement. The cosmetic material carried by the implement is usually in the form of a viscom liquid or paste, a typical mascara comprising a solid block of carbon black or other pigment which is moistenecl and so placed in heavy susa1 pension on a wet brush or dauber. Due to the iiexibility of the hair and the tenacity with which the cosmetic composition adheres to the spplyinc implement, it is quite diicultlto apply the de sired quantity of the material to the eyelashes or brows without at the same time smearing or spot= ting the mascara on the adjacent smo surfaces.

The present invention has for its object the provision of an improved t of liquid cosmetic dispenser and applicator by means of which tbe cosmetic may be quickly and accurately applied to the hair in the desired amounts without smear= at all times ready for us without moistening or other preliminary opero-n tion.

in general, the above and other objects ci invention are carried out by providing an ab@ sorbent Wick-type applicator; fixed to and son plied with liquid cosmetic from s suitable reservoir, and employing suitable means for compre-sring or squeezing the applicator head at a point adjacent its distal end whereby a droplet of tire liquid with which it is saturated is entitled on im surface and is readily transferable to the hair without bending the hair down in Contact with the adjacent skin. The applicator may take various forms but preferably comprises a mass of absorbent material such as cotton wicking cnl closed 'in an envelope of textile fabric or other moisture-permeable material. The means for compressing the absorbent applicator may be controlled by the closure member or cap of the device so that the applicator is automatically compressed when the cap is removed. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

In describing the invention in-detail, reference wi. slmd'idl will be made to which certain embodiments ci th been illustrated.

Figure l is a sectional elevati the accompanying drawings in e invention have In the drawings:

on koi an applicator device embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of tne apparatus shown in Figure l., with the cap shown in section;

. Figure 3 is a cross section ol the applicator taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 1, the npplicater need-compressing means tbe insctiye position;

Figure s is e, cross section sim being shown in liar to Figure 3,

showing applicator heod-compressng means in the active or compressing position;

Figure 5 is a scctionalelevation of a modii form of applicator device embodying theinvention;

Figure o is a side elevation of thel device ci Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a iront elevation of the'device ci Figure 5 with the cap shown in section;

removed, certain parts being Figure s is a sectional elevation of another mcation of my along line il-li of Figure l;

improved applicator; taken Figure 9 is a sectional side elevation of the applicator of Figure 8; Figure lo is a cross along the line itl-io ci Figure il;

section of the device, taken Figures il ond l2 are respectively sectional elevations o another modification applicator device,

the active .and inactive Figure i3 is a cross sectional of my improved of Figure' il.

f-teierring to l. through i, the embodiment of the invention there illustrated comprises a base portion forni-ing n. reservoir for the liquid cosmetic lo and e cap i@ .tri

ctionally engesn lng a reduced end of the base portion. il. closure il is pressed in or otherwise tightly secured to the upper end of the base it, and an absornt wick iii passes through a sure and is enlarged applicator head le.

central opening inthis cloabove the closure to form an The lower endof the wick it? is submerged in the liquid cosmetic l within the base reservoir l preferably formed by enclosing the enlarged upper end of the wick fabric or other moisture perm material.

lo in an envelope 2i) of textile eable absorbent The envelope 2E may be shaped as desired to form a rounded point at the distal end of the applicator head, as shown. Suitable means are provided or squeezing the applicator hea for compressing d I9 at a point t. The applicator head is as shown to move toward each other and so compress the head therebetween when the free Aends of the springs are released. One end of each spring is reversely bent and secured to the inner surface of the base I44by suitable means,

such as soldering, as shown at 22. Each spring 2| has a free end 23 bent to extend substantially radially outward through a slot 24 in a band 25 which is xed vabout the base I4 adjacent its upper edge.

The springs 2| are operated by a wedge 26 secured to the cap |6. A recess 21 is providcd slot 3l and so hold the wedge 26 in place.

in the base portion I4 to accommodate the wedge 26 when the cap is in place, as shown in Figure 2. The wedge 26 is integral with or fixed to the inner surface of the cap 6, the pointed end of the wedge beingdisposed'downwardly as shown.

When the cap I6 is applied to the base i4, the wedge 26 engages and separates the free ends 22 of the springs 2| and so moves these springs apart, releasing the squeezing pressure on the applicator head I9. Upon removal of the cap I6 from the base |4, the wedge 26 releases the spring ends 22 and the springs 2| move toward each other and compress the applicator head I9 therebetween, whereupon liquid is exuded on the surface of the applicator head.

A slot 28 is preferably cut in the cap I6 for engagement with a lpin 29 on the band 25, the arrangement of these parts being such that the cap can only be slipped on the base in the position in which the point of the wedge 26 passes between the spring ends 23. If desirable or necessary, notches 30 may be formed in the edges of the wedge 26 for engagement by the spring ends 23 when the cap is in the fully applied position.- Such notches prevent the movement of the cap bythe compressive action of the springs.

In a modified form of the device illustrated in Figures through '1, the wedge is carried by the base member. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the base member |4' is provided with a vertical slot 3| and inner horizontal grooves 32. The ends 23 of the springs 2|' ride in the grooves 32, and a 'wedge 26' is slidably carried by a part 33 extending through and slidably carried in the vertical slot 3|. The sliding part 33, which may be integral with or secured to the wedge 26", is preferably provided with outwardly diverging side edges which engage the diverging walls of the small lug 34 on the slider 33 lies inthe path of a shoulder 35 near the lower edge of the cap i6. A recess 31 is formed in the side of the base reservoir closure I1 for the reception of the wedge 26"as shown.

In operation of the device of Figures 5 through '7, the removal of the cap |6' releases the wedge 26 which is fthen moved upward by the force of the spring ends 23' on the tapered edges of the wedge. The springs 2| move together and squeeze theapplicator head I9', whereby liquid cosmetic is exuded on its surface. When the cap I6' is replaced, its shoulder 35 engages the lug 34 and so moves the wedge 26 downward between the spring ends 23', whereby the springs 2|' are separated and the squeezing pressure on the applicator head I9' is released. The `cap I6 may be held in place on the base |4' by suitable means such as a bayonet joint 36 in Figure 1. Such bayonet joint connection may in some cases be necessary so that the action of the springs 2| on the wedge 26' cannot force the cap off.

In a further modification of the invention. shown in Figures 8 through 10, a spring which embraces the applicator head is employed. The

,base reservoid'40 carries a wick fed absorbent applicator head 4| of substantiallyy rectangular cross section. 'I'he applicator head is supported on a closure member 42 having upwardly divergent opposite side wall recesses 43. As in the previously described modification, the applicator head 4| is supplied with liquid cosmetic from the base reservoir 40 through a suitable wick 4|. 'I'he spring member 44 is bent to provide horizontal arms 45 engaging opposite sides of the applicator head 4|, and downwardly extending portions 46 which are looped over trunnion pins 41 near the lower ends of the, recessesv 43, asy

shown. The spring 44 is so biased that its horizontal arms 45 tend to resiliently compressthe applicator head 4| therebetween.

A cup-shaped operating member 48 is slidably mounted in a recess 49 within the upper end of the base 40, and the vertical portions 46 of the spring 44 extend through slots 5|) in the member 48, asA shown. With this arrangement, the portions 54 of the operating member 48 lying between each pair of divergent spring arms 46 act as wedges to separate these arms' and\so move the horizontal spring arms 45 apart when the member 48 is .pressed downwardly.

The operating member 48 is engaged by a shoulder 5| on the cap 52 and is pressed down when the cap is applied to the base 40. A bayonet joint 53,is preferably provided yto hold the cap 52 in place. vWith the cap 52 in place, the spring arms 45 are separated as described and assume the positions shown in full lines in Figure 8, relieving the applicator head 4| of squeezing pressure. y When the cap 52 is removed, the. vertical spring arms 46 move toward each other, moving the wedge part-54 of the member 48 upwardly, and the horizontal spring arms V45 move together to the positions shown in dotted lines in Figure 8. 'I'his squeezes the applicator head 4I and causes it to exude the liquid cosmetic with which it is saturated, whereby the cosmetic can be easily applied to the eyelashes or elsewhere.

In the form of they invention illustrated in Figures 11 through 13, the spring-compressing means is released by'lateral pressure and accordingly,.removal of the cap by the spring is obviated. The spring' employed in this embodiment comprisesa loop 55 encircling the applicator head 56 and having a depending end 51 which is reversely bent and secured to the wall of the base member 58 by a rivet 59 or other suitable means. The free end 60 .of the spring terminates in a downwardly inclined portion extending horizontally outward to a point in the path of `the lower edge of the cap 6|. The cap 6| is provided with an inclined shoulder 62 on its inner surface which engages 'the free spring end 66 and moves itinwardly when the cap is applied. In this position of the cap 6| and spring end 60, which is shown in Figure .1l and by the full lines in Figure 13, the spring loop 55 is distended and no squeezing compression is applied to the applicator head 56. When the cap 6| is removed, the spring end and the loop 55 is retion of a droplet of liquid on the surface o the Y applicator head permits the application of the cosmetic to the hair in the desired quantity without appreciable pressure, and flattening of the hair on the skin surface or smearing the cosmetic on the skin is avoided. In the preferred forms of the invention illustrated, the applicator head compressing means operates automatically when the cap is removed, and automatically releases the applicatorhead to reabsorb the liquid when the cap is replaced, and in this manner, leakage of the cosmetic is avoided.

Although my invention is particularly useful l in the application of mascara to eyelashes and eyebrows, it may, of course, be used for the application of other liquids to other surfaces or objects. Further, the applicator head compressing means may be operated manually rather than automatically by the cap of the device.

I claim:

1. A cosmetic dispensing applicator comprising a liquid absorbent applicator head, means for saturating said head with a cosmetic liquid and releasable means for constricting said head whereby said liquidcosmetic may be exuded on the surface of said head.

2. A cosmetic dispensing applicator comprising a liquid absorbent applicator head, means for saturating said head with a cosmetic liquid, spring means for resiliently eonstricting said head whereby liquid is exuded on the surface thereof, and means for releasing said spring-constricting meam whereby the liquid is reabsorbed by said head.

3. A cosmetic dispensing applicator comprising a reservoir for liquid cosmetic, a liquid absorbent applicator head carried by and extending from said reservoir, wicl; means for supplying liquid cosmetic from said reservoir to said head, and releasable means for constricting said head whereby the liquid cosmetic which it is saturated may be selectively exuded on the surface thereof and into the interior thereof.

1i. l cosmetic dispensing applicator comprising a reservoir for liquid cosmetic, a liquid absorbent applicator carried by and extending from said reservoir, wich means for supplying liquid cosmetic from said reservoir to said head, spring means biased to resiliently squeeze said applicator head whereby a liquid is exuded on the surface thereof, and means for releasing said spring means whereby said head may expand and reabsorb the liquid from its surface. i

5. A cosmetic dispensing applicator device comprising a base reservoir for liquid cosmetic, a liquid absorbent applicator head carried by and extending from'sald base reservoir, a cap removably engageable with said base reservoir for enclosing said applicator head, means' for feeding liquid cosmetic from said base reservoir to said applicator head, and means operated by .said

cap for constricting said head when said cap is removed whereby liquid cosmetic is exuded on the applicator head,

` surface of said head and for releasing said head when said cap is in place whereby the liquid on the surface of said head is reabsorbed.

6. A cosmetic dispensing applicator device comprising a base reservoir for liquid cosmetic, a liquid absorbent applicator head carried by and extending from said base reservoir, a cap removably engageable with saidrbase reservoir for enclosing said applicator head, wick means ici supplying liquid cosmetic from said base reservoir to said applicator head, spring means biased to constrict said applicator head whereby liquid is exuded on the surface thereof, and means/operated by said cap when applied to said base reservoir for releasing said spring means whereby liquid exuded on the surface of said head may be reabsorbed. f v

7. A cosmetic dispensing applicator device comprising a base reservoir for liquid cosmetic, aliquid absorbent applicator head carried by and extending from said base reservoir, a cap removably engageable with said base reservoir for enclosing said applicator head, means for feeding cosmetic liquid from said base reservoir 'to said applicator head, oppositely disposed spring means on said base reservoir biased to resiliently constrict said applicator head therebetween and wedge means operated by the application of said cap to said base reservoir for separating said spring means and of said head.

8. A cosmetic dispensing applicator device comprising a base reservoir for liquid cosmetic, a liquid absorbent applicator head carried by and extending from said base reservoir, a, cap removably engageable with said base reservoir for enclosing said applicator head, means for feeding cosmetic liquid` from said base reservoir to said oppositely disposed spring means on said base reservoir biased to resiliently constrict said applicator head therebetween and wedge means on said cap for separating said so releasing the constriction` liti) spring means and so releasing ythe constricting on said head when said cap is applied to said base reservoir.

9. A cosmetic dispensing applicator device comprising a base reservoir for liquid cosmetic, a liquid absorbent applicator head carried by extending from said base reservoir, a cap remoti ably engageable with said base reservoir for enclosing said applicator head, means for feeding cosmetic liquid from said base reservoir Ato said applicator head, oppositely disposed spring means on said base reservoir biased to resiliently constrict said applicator head'therebetween, movable wedgc means carried by said base reses` .g said spring means and so releasing the constriction on said head,'and means on said cap for operating said wedge means to release said constriction when said cap is applied Vto said base reservoir.,

10. A cosmetic dispensing applicator device comprising a base reservoir for liquid cosmetic, a

liquid absorbent applicator head carried by and' extending from said base reservoir, a cap removably engageable with said base reservoir for enclosing said applicator head, means for feeding cosmetic liquid from said base reservoir to said applicator head, spring means carried by said base reservoir disposed on opposite sides of said applicator head and ybiased toward each other to constrict said applicator head therebetween, wedge means movably supported on said base reservoir and disposed between said spring means and means on said cap for engaging and moving said wedge means to separate said Spring means when said cap is applied to said base reservoir, whereby said head is compressed and exudes liquid on the surface thereof when'said cap is removed and such compression is released and said head reabsorbs the exuded liquid when said cap is applied. l

ll. A cosmetic dispensing applicator device comprising a base reservoir for liquid cosmetic, a.

liquid absorbent applicator head 'carried by and extending from said base reservoir, a capremovably engageable with said base reservoir for enclosing said applicator head, means forI feed' ing cosmetic liquid from said base reservoir to 'said applicator head, a spring loopcarrled by said base reservoir surrounding said applicator head and biased to resiliently constrict said head at a point spaced from the distalv end thereof and means on said cap for distending said -spring loop and thus releasing the constriction of said head when said cap is applied to said base reservoir. i q

12. A cosmetic dispensing applicator device comprising a base reservoir for liquid cosmetic, a liquid absorbent applicator head carried by and extending from said base reservoir, a cap remov-v ably engageable with said base reservoir for enclosing said applicator head, means for feeding cosmetic liquid from said base reservoir to said applicator head, a spring -loop carried by said base reservoir surrounding said applicator head and biased to resiliently constrict said head whereby liquid is exuded on the surface of said head and means on said cap for distendingk said spring loop by lateral movement of one 4end thereof and thus releasing the constriction of said head when said cap is applied to lsaid base reservoir. y

I WILFRED- C. HAND. 

